UN, EU, Russia back Obama's Mideast 'vision'

Obama's comments on Israel and Palestine receive European approval

Published May 20, 2011 5:06PM (EDT)

President Barack Obama shakes hands with audience members after he delivered his Middle East speech at the State Department in Washington, Thursday, May 19, 2011. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak) (AP)
President Barack Obama shakes hands with audience members after he delivered his Middle East speech at the State Department in Washington, Thursday, May 19, 2011. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak) (AP)

The United Nations, European Union and Russia are strongly backing U.S. President Barack Obama's "vision" for achieving peace between Israel and the Palestinians.

They agree that Obama's starting point -- borders for Palestine, security for Israel -- provides "a foundation for Israelis and Palestinians to reach a final resolution of the conflict through serious and substantive negotiations and mutual agreement on all core issues."

The U.N., EU, and Russia, along with the United States, comprise the Quartet of international mediators trying to promote a Mideast peace settlement.

A Quartet statement issued Friday appealed again to Israel and the Palestinians "to overcome the current obstacles and resume direct negotiations and mutual agreement on all core issues."


By Associated Press

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Barack Obama Israel Middle East